Maryland Historical Society
Francis Scott Key's manuscript of the "Star-Spangled Banner" is the centerpiece of a brand new exhibit, "Looking For Liberty." The exhibit includes artifacts that recall Maryland's past, including Tench Tilghman's Revolutionary War officer's uniform, and pieces from the old Baltimore City Life Museum. Another permanent exhibit, "Maryland Through the Artist's Eye," features the society's enormous art collection. Scheduled for 2004 is "Baltimore Ablaze," an exhibit about the Great Fire of 1904, or the exhibit on its internationally acclaimed furniture collection. You can also find all kinds of stuff here: Cal Ripken's bat, Baltimore painted furniture, Stieff silver, a recording of Eubie Blake playing the piano, mementoes of the Duchess of Windsor, a local girl. The collections represent some part of Maryland's 350-plus years of history in a sprawling museum that takes up a city block and includes the town house of Baltimore philanthropist Enoch Pratt which served as the MHS's first home. Don't miss the gift shop. Part consignment/part gift shop, it has plenty of antiques and other interesting items. It's easy to spend a couple of hours here. It's close enough to the Walters for a full day in the museums. And it's not far from the Eubie Blake Cultural Center and the antiques shops of Howard Street.

American Visionary Art Museum
Look for the "Whirligig," a 55-foot multicolored, wind-powered sculpture at the front of this curvaceous building. Visionary art is created by people without artistic training but feel compelled to draw, paint, or build a ship with matchsticks. Everything is fascinating; some can be quite troubling. And the artists' stories can be as interesting as their art. The museum's three stories contain rooms that are as soothing as the art is vivid. From the moment you set your eyes on Emery Blagdon's "Healing Machines" mobile hanging down three floors, you'll be entranced. Some exhibits are too strong for children, and the museum will alert you about that. Other exhibits are a joy that children would love. A sculpture barn and sculpture garden are filled with other delights. The AVAM is also home to Joy America Café and an offbeat gift shop on the first floor. AVAM is adding new exhibit space and sculpture garden due to open in 2004.

Port Discovery
This is a kid-powered museum where in exhibits covering three floors, kids of all ages (though mostly ages 6-12) can cross the Nile to explore ancient Egypt, climb through a kitchen drain as they solve a mystery in Miss Perception's Mystery House, and climb and play on the three-story-high Kidworks. Walt Disney Company "Imagineers" designed most of the exhibits. Adding to the activity are some high-tech toys in the PD Kid Club, where children use computers to compose music, shoot videos, or produce their own cartoons. Oasis Story Times are offered at 11am Monday through Saturday in summer and Tuesday through Saturday during the school year.As part of a visit -- or on its own -- visitors can take a trip on a tethered helium balloon that rises 450 feet above Baltimore. The HiFlyer (tel. 410/949-2359) can carry 20 passengers (including up to three wheelchairs) for the 20-minute ride. It flies 11:30am to 8pm (until 10pm Fri and Sat) daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day, with weekend hours September through May whenever the weather's agreeable. You can see to the city's limits.

Clarion Hotel Peabody Court
Old world charm European hotel located in the historic district. Inner Harbor, aquarium, restaurants and shops nearby. Government issued photo identification required at check-in. Hotel offers free wired or wireless high-speed Internet access. Hotel's restaurant (George's on Mt. Vernon Square) is a non-smoking only facility. Parking Charge: 29.00 plus tax overnight guests. 19.00/tax daily parking. In room safe 1.00 per night (optional). Pet Deposit: 50.00 (refundable). Pet Charge: 15.00 per ...

Four Points by Sheraton BWI Airport
Nearby Airports: * Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI) - .5 Mile * Washington National Airport - 30 Miles Nearby Cities: * Hanover - 4 Miles * Elkridge - 5 Miles * Glen Burnie - 5 Miles * Severn - 6 Miles * Fort Meade - 7 Miles * Cantonsville - 8 Miles * Jessup - 9 Miles * Baltimore - 10 Miles * Pasadena - 10 Miles * Columbia - 14 Miles * Laurel - 14 Miles * Ellicott City - 15 Miles * ...

Hyatt Regency Baltimore
* Near Penn Station * 2 miles from Amtrak Station (about 17 blocks) * 12 miles from Baltimore-Washington International ...